B.J. Ryan | Relief Pitcher

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Cubs released LHP B.J. Ryan.

Ryan's road to the majors with the Cubs was blocked when the club acquired left-handed pitchers John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny from the Pirates. Ryan wasn't scored upon in 5 2/3 innings at Triple-A Iowa, but he had a 5/4 K/BB ratio. He was working in the 86-88 mph range. The former elite closer will likely be relegated to hunting for another minor league deal. Wed, Aug 5, 2009 06:35:00 PM

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs have released B.J. Ryan from his minor league contract.

Ryan wasn't scored upon in 5 2/3 innings at Triple-A Iowa, but had a 5/4 K/BB ratio and didn't believe that his velocity -- which had been in the 86-88 mph range -- would bounce back. At this point, it remains to be seen what the next step is for the once-dominant former closer. Wed, Aug 5, 2009 05:27:00 PM

B.J. Ryan has made three scoreless appearances with Triple-A Iowa, with his fastball topping out in the 86-88 MPH range.

Obviously the bar has been lowered quite a bit to call this progress. Ryan had a chance at joining Sean Marshall as the second southpaw in the Cubs' pen, but since they acquired John Grabow last week, there is less of a sense of urgency to bring him up. The Cubs must decide by August 10 if they want to call up Ryan, before he can opt out of his contract and sign with someone else. Mon, Aug 3, 2009 01:40:00 PM

B.J. Ryan worked a scoreless inning with one walk and no strikeouts in his debut for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Ryan reportedly topped out at 87 mph on Tuesday, and while he could end being an asset to the Cubs before the season is over, it continues to be evident that his most dominant days are in the past. Wed, Jul 29, 2009 01:27:00 PM

Depth Charts

Cubs placed C Willson Contreras on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

He's expected to be sidelined for the next 4-to-6 weeks with the injury, but the Cubs remain optimistic that he'll return to see meaningful action in September. Alex Avila will handle the bulk of the catching for the Cubs while Victor Caratini has been recalled from Triple-A to add depth behind the plate.

Addison Russell (foot) jogged on the field and hit in the batting cages on Tuesday.

"I'm feeling a little bit better," Russell said after the light workout. "I'm trying to take this slow. I don't want any setbacks." The young shortstop has acknowledged that he is experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis in his right foot and there is currently no timetable for his return to the Cubs' active roster. Russell landed on the disabled list August 4.

This comes after Lester exited Thursday's start with lat tightness. The left-hander was blown up for nine runs in that start and didn't throw with his usual velocity. The Cubs aren't expected to update Lester's status until Friday at the earliest, though it's a near certainty that he'll be placed on the disabled list. Mike Montgomery, who logged 4 1/3 innings out of the bullpen on Thursday, is an obvious candidate to replace Lester in the starting rotation.

It was his first pen session since landing on the disabled list last week and he'll throw another one on Saturday. The 42-year-old has delivered a 3.55 ERA over 43 relief outings in his first year with Chicago.